365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
Thanks all. Still kickin!
I've discovered that I'm a s
te Gardner. I can build you a data centre but taking care of grass has got me beat.
I've spent all weekend "fixing" the grass only for it to look like I've torched it. That might still be an option.
This would be the default time where I'd reach for an ice cold cider or crack open that 30 year old bottle that I'd been saving but it's just not in my head any more. Well, it is of course but the cost out weights the benefit. I don't count the cost of the thousands of pounds worth of posh booze I poured down the sink. I kept some of the very special bottles that were commissioned for various times in my career or life but they are empty.
I was due to have all sorts of check ups done and some minor outpatient appointments but of course COVID has put that to rest for now.
I had an ultrasound and another full panel of bloods done before the lockdown and at the time there was no change but nothing has gotten worse. I'll take that.
I do find I'm a little more anxious as the checkups kept me sane and helped with damage control. The law of averages says the longer you leave something unchecked the higher the risk but I'd like to think that if something was out of whack over and above what is considered normal for me then I'd hope someone would still be in touch. Dunno.
Every now and then I'll read the final posts of JAYB and wonder how far away I am from that. But that is a slow descent into madness so for now I'll make it all count. I think God and Satan are still arguing about who wants the hassle anyway!
Stay strong and safe troops, and again if anyone fancies a chat then reach out. That first time I made peace with what I've done was a gateway to realising just what I'd done.
Love you!
D.
I've discovered that I'm a s
te Gardner. I can build you a data centre but taking care of grass has got me beat. I've spent all weekend "fixing" the grass only for it to look like I've torched it. That might still be an option.
This would be the default time where I'd reach for an ice cold cider or crack open that 30 year old bottle that I'd been saving but it's just not in my head any more. Well, it is of course but the cost out weights the benefit. I don't count the cost of the thousands of pounds worth of posh booze I poured down the sink. I kept some of the very special bottles that were commissioned for various times in my career or life but they are empty.
I was due to have all sorts of check ups done and some minor outpatient appointments but of course COVID has put that to rest for now.
I had an ultrasound and another full panel of bloods done before the lockdown and at the time there was no change but nothing has gotten worse. I'll take that.
I do find I'm a little more anxious as the checkups kept me sane and helped with damage control. The law of averages says the longer you leave something unchecked the higher the risk but I'd like to think that if something was out of whack over and above what is considered normal for me then I'd hope someone would still be in touch. Dunno.
Every now and then I'll read the final posts of JAYB and wonder how far away I am from that. But that is a slow descent into madness so for now I'll make it all count. I think God and Satan are still arguing about who wants the hassle anyway!
Stay strong and safe troops, and again if anyone fancies a chat then reach out. That first time I made peace with what I've done was a gateway to realising just what I'd done.
Love you!
D.
The last time I touched alcohol was the 4th of December 2019, so coming up to 5 months - I can't believe it's been that long! Spurred on by a break up, I felt that booze and emotions were a bad mix lol.
I don't miss it really, but it can be testing when friends constantly ask (before furlough) to 'have a cheat day' and get drunk with them :-/
The other bonus is I've lost 2 stone...although that's because I sorted the diet out as well.
I don't miss it really, but it can be testing when friends constantly ask (before furlough) to 'have a cheat day' and get drunk with them :-/
The other bonus is I've lost 2 stone...although that's because I sorted the diet out as well.
EarlOfHazard said:
The last time I touched alcohol was the 4th of December 2019, so coming up to 5 months - I can't believe it's been that long! Spurred on by a break up, I felt that booze and emotions were a bad mix lol.
I don't miss it really, but it can be testing when friends constantly ask (before furlough) to 'have a cheat day' and get drunk with them :-/
The other bonus is I've lost 2 stone...although that's because I sorted the diet out as well.
I don't miss it really, but it can be testing when friends constantly ask (before furlough) to 'have a cheat day' and get drunk with them :-/
The other bonus is I've lost 2 stone...although that's because I sorted the diet out as well.
For some it is clearly an unending uphill struggle - for others it seems to be like once you've crested the emotional and mental mountain it can be like an unseen coasting away from alcohol with the unexpected potential wobble popping up like a bloody great boulder on the tracks when you aren't expecting it. I think I am fortunate to be in the latter, but however the time goes, it isn't easy for anyone: so well done!
Hi all.
We’ve been abstaining during lockdown. Gone about 2 weeks now.
The non-drinking has been relatively easy to date with no big temptations.
But.. when do I start to feel better? I’ve had a mild headache for the 2 weeks and been as grumpy as the proverbial bear.
Has anyone had anything similar?
Thanks.
We’ve been abstaining during lockdown. Gone about 2 weeks now.
The non-drinking has been relatively easy to date with no big temptations.
But.. when do I start to feel better? I’ve had a mild headache for the 2 weeks and been as grumpy as the proverbial bear.
Has anyone had anything similar?
Thanks.
Hawmaws said:
Hi all.
We’ve been abstaining during lockdown. Gone about 2 weeks now.
The non-drinking has been relatively easy to date with no big temptations.
But.. when do I start to feel better? I’ve had a mild headache for the 2 weeks and been as grumpy as the proverbial bear.
Has anyone had anything similar?
Thanks.
I felt worse at first too, though no headaches. It was about three weeks before I started feeling better. Then I continued to feel better and better for months afterwards. At about nine months the last change was realizing that when I had just woken up I could, if I thought about it, remember my last dream.We’ve been abstaining during lockdown. Gone about 2 weeks now.
The non-drinking has been relatively easy to date with no big temptations.
But.. when do I start to feel better? I’ve had a mild headache for the 2 weeks and been as grumpy as the proverbial bear.
Has anyone had anything similar?
Thanks.
Hawmaws said:
Hi all.
We’ve been abstaining during lockdown. Gone about 2 weeks now.
The non-drinking has been relatively easy to date with no big temptations.
But.. when do I start to feel better? I’ve had a mild headache for the 2 weeks and been as grumpy as the proverbial bear.
How much were you drinking before you stopped? We’ve been abstaining during lockdown. Gone about 2 weeks now.
The non-drinking has been relatively easy to date with no big temptations.
But.. when do I start to feel better? I’ve had a mild headache for the 2 weeks and been as grumpy as the proverbial bear.
Have you also changed your diet, as that can cause a change of mood and mild headache?
EddieSteadyGo said:
How much were you drinking before you stopped?
Have you also changed your diet, as that can cause a change of mood and mild headache?
Mostly weekends - probably best part of a bottle of wine and maybe some beer or whisky per night. When it started to spread to weekdays, I decided to stop completely for a bit. Have you also changed your diet, as that can cause a change of mood and mild headache?
I’ve been trying to lose weight too, so tracking my intake on myfitness pal. That was part of the prompt to cut back on alcohol when I realised that about 1/3 of my calories were coming from drink some days.
Hawmaws said:
I’ve been trying to lose weight too, so tracking my intake on myfitness pal. That was part of the prompt to cut back on alcohol when I realised that about 1/3 of my calories were coming from drink some days.
Ah, makes sense. I suspect your headache and mood is linked directly to your change in diet rather than reduction in alcohol. More water helps, although even that won't fix it.I've had exactly this situation myself which is why I asked the question.
ETA : I've also found that after a period of lower calorie intake, particularly when eating fewer sugars and simple carbs, if I eat a bar of chocolate, it causes quite a bad headache.
So I'm pretty sure (based on a study of one, myself) diet and possibly a change in sugar/simple carbs is the key to what you are experiencing.
Edited by EddieSteadyGo on Saturday 2nd May 10:46
Into week 20 now. Lost 1 stone.
Perfectly happy drinking alcohol free stuff, nice to have the occasional cold one. Brewdog stuff and bud 0 is my favourite.
I worked at the nightingale hospital during its initial setup and done a load of overtime at weekends recently so a bit worn out after doing 80+hr weeks. Still in these situations get the craving, this weekend I would have gone through about 16 bottles of Corona feeling like I do at the moment (fed up).
Definitely feel happier off alcohol mind
Will continue.
Perfectly happy drinking alcohol free stuff, nice to have the occasional cold one. Brewdog stuff and bud 0 is my favourite.
I worked at the nightingale hospital during its initial setup and done a load of overtime at weekends recently so a bit worn out after doing 80+hr weeks. Still in these situations get the craving, this weekend I would have gone through about 16 bottles of Corona feeling like I do at the moment (fed up).
Definitely feel happier off alcohol mind
Will continue.
Hawmaws said:
EddieSteadyGo said:
So I'm pretty sure (based on a study of one, myself) diet and possibly a change in sugar/simple carbs is the key to what you are experiencing.
]
Thanks for the reassurance! I’m not a hypochondriac, but at the moment it’s hard not to be. ]
How long did it last?
I suspect it is all tied up with blood sugar levels and the resulting insulin levels. So I try and eat foods with more slow release energy like low gi bread which I find helps.
Still doing well after more than four months. I’ve lost at least 5 kg.
I’m not finding it hard at the moment. Have got out of the habit of drinking. From past experience I know that if I did have a few beers then I would go back to missing it.
I am not tempted at the moment. Keep reminding myself it is not worth it. My problem with alcohol is that I really enjoy having the first drink. However my enjoyment seems to drop very rapidly ie even by the end of the first pint it isn’t as nice and by the third I’m just drinking for the sake of drinking. And although the first hour or so of drinking is fun as time goes by the negative aspects of alcohol increase. In particular with more than a few pints my sleep is disturbed and the following day is ruined. Just not worth it.
I’m not finding it hard at the moment. Have got out of the habit of drinking. From past experience I know that if I did have a few beers then I would go back to missing it.
I am not tempted at the moment. Keep reminding myself it is not worth it. My problem with alcohol is that I really enjoy having the first drink. However my enjoyment seems to drop very rapidly ie even by the end of the first pint it isn’t as nice and by the third I’m just drinking for the sake of drinking. And although the first hour or so of drinking is fun as time goes by the negative aspects of alcohol increase. In particular with more than a few pints my sleep is disturbed and the following day is ruined. Just not worth it.
I don't really want to give up drinking. That's part of the problem - I have this happy idea of the 5 pints or single bottle of wine evenings that I would enjoy.
Problem is at the moment I am in a pattern of drinking 20 - 25 units, having a bad hangover and deciding I need to quit, then 4 or 5 days later feeling fine and thinking that I fancy a cheeky beer or two. Often as I'm pissed off with life, but I suspect part is chemical. 20+ units later...
So yesterday I gave my daughter £50 and said on June 1st I get it back unless I have drunk any alcohol. If I booze I lose. It's not so much the money as the open commitment.
Has anyone managed to retrain themselves by a rigorous drinking of 2 - 3 pints two or three times a week until it becomes habit? I know habits are permanent so the bingeing bug will never go away completely, but I understand habits can be overwritten. Once the dry month is done I fancy having a go at this.
I do dry January every year and have never failed, but mid-year dryness often fails. That's because I commit properly to the dry Jan thing and I have done it often enough that it has ceased to be a question. Dry May is much more doubtful, not least because of the 'not really wanting to give up drinking forever' thing.
Problem is at the moment I am in a pattern of drinking 20 - 25 units, having a bad hangover and deciding I need to quit, then 4 or 5 days later feeling fine and thinking that I fancy a cheeky beer or two. Often as I'm pissed off with life, but I suspect part is chemical. 20+ units later...
So yesterday I gave my daughter £50 and said on June 1st I get it back unless I have drunk any alcohol. If I booze I lose. It's not so much the money as the open commitment.
Has anyone managed to retrain themselves by a rigorous drinking of 2 - 3 pints two or three times a week until it becomes habit? I know habits are permanent so the bingeing bug will never go away completely, but I understand habits can be overwritten. Once the dry month is done I fancy having a go at this.
I do dry January every year and have never failed, but mid-year dryness often fails. That's because I commit properly to the dry Jan thing and I have done it often enough that it has ceased to be a question. Dry May is much more doubtful, not least because of the 'not really wanting to give up drinking forever' thing.
Fatlad1973 said:
Has anyone managed to retrain themselves by a rigorous drinking of 2 - 3 pints two or three times a week until it becomes habit? I know habits are permanent so the bingeing bug will never go away completely, but I understand habits can be overwritten. Once the dry month is done I fancy having a go at this.
I don’t think it can be done. Or if it can I haven’t heard of anyone who’s been able to do it. There are numerous stories on this thread from people who’ve stopped, decided to have “just the one” and before they know it they’re back where they started.
Carr stresses in his book that you have to knock it on the head completely, forget trying to cut down, alcohol just doesn’t work like that.
And just above your post, there’s this...
Jiebo said:
I had a slip a couple of weeks a go. 2 solid weeks of daily drinking, about 15-20 units a day. Back on track now.
This was after about 7 months of sobriety. I think all the depressing news just triggered it, it’s worrying how quickly you slip right back. Took me less than a day to get back to what was regular consumption levels.
It’s such a cliche - everyone says it will happen and I didn’t think it would. The rational part of my brain got taken over by the addiction for those 2 weeks. If anyone has forgotten what hangovers are like, let me tell you they are horrendous.
Once alcohol addiction has got you, you can’t touch it again, that’s what I’ve learnt from this.
I’ve read many similar tales here to convince me that it’s just not possible. This was after about 7 months of sobriety. I think all the depressing news just triggered it, it’s worrying how quickly you slip right back. Took me less than a day to get back to what was regular consumption levels.
It’s such a cliche - everyone says it will happen and I didn’t think it would. The rational part of my brain got taken over by the addiction for those 2 weeks. If anyone has forgotten what hangovers are like, let me tell you they are horrendous.
Once alcohol addiction has got you, you can’t touch it again, that’s what I’ve learnt from this.
(FWIW I quit in 2012 and don’t miss it. Carr was right about everything else in his book so I trust him on this.)
Jasandjules said:
I am at about 11 years now... Being really ill helps.......
I"m nowhere near that, rapidly approaching a year but I think I know where you're coming from. I don't know you're background but booze genuinely almost killed me, twice. It's so hard just now, lockdown, amazing weather, depressing news, still crazy busy at work all would normally come together and would it would take less than an hour do undo it all.
I"m not losing any weight though and if anything I'm gaining it cos I'm a greedy sod that can't pass the fridge! I went to the shops the other day for essentials and spent near £100 on guff.
Anyway, keep on keeping on.
Nothing for 9 months now.
This lockdown is making it a bit more difficult, though in all honesty if someone said i'd stop drinking one day I would have laughed all the way to the bar.
I think i'm £1700 and a wife up as last time i posted she had just walked out 10 days after my birthday and 3 weeks hols booked! I think she'd had enough... maybe!
So i think i dodged a bullet.
Not starting back up ant time soon.
Well done to anyone on here and trying this, it does get easier and the wknds longer which is ace as they can be much more constructive, i actually get up early on my days off now because i want to and the bonus is i feel great as no hangover etc and mondays are good cause i have achieved something, try it its a good feeling.
Hope that helps someone
This lockdown is making it a bit more difficult, though in all honesty if someone said i'd stop drinking one day I would have laughed all the way to the bar.
I think i'm £1700 and a wife up as last time i posted she had just walked out 10 days after my birthday and 3 weeks hols booked! I think she'd had enough... maybe!
So i think i dodged a bullet.
Not starting back up ant time soon.
Well done to anyone on here and trying this, it does get easier and the wknds longer which is ace as they can be much more constructive, i actually get up early on my days off now because i want to and the bonus is i feel great as no hangover etc and mondays are good cause i have achieved something, try it its a good feeling.
Hope that helps someone
jjaack said:
Nothing for 9 months now.
This lockdown is making it a bit more difficult, though in all honesty if someone said i'd stop drinking one day I would have laughed all the way to the bar.
I think i'm £1700 and a wife up as last time i posted she had just walked out 10 days after my birthday and 3 weeks hols booked! I think she'd had enough... maybe!
So i think i dodged a bullet.
Not starting back up ant time soon.
Well done to anyone on here and trying this, it does get easier and the wknds longer which is ace as they can be much more constructive, i actually get up early on my days off now because i want to and the bonus is i feel great as no hangover etc and mondays are good cause i have achieved something, try it its a good feeling.
Hope that helps someone
The thought of a hangover is a nightmare. I remember them fondly. This lockdown is making it a bit more difficult, though in all honesty if someone said i'd stop drinking one day I would have laughed all the way to the bar.
I think i'm £1700 and a wife up as last time i posted she had just walked out 10 days after my birthday and 3 weeks hols booked! I think she'd had enough... maybe!
So i think i dodged a bullet.
Not starting back up ant time soon.
Well done to anyone on here and trying this, it does get easier and the wknds longer which is ace as they can be much more constructive, i actually get up early on my days off now because i want to and the bonus is i feel great as no hangover etc and mondays are good cause i have achieved something, try it its a good feeling.
Hope that helps someone
I was talking the other day to a mate where we were of the same opinion. One day we were just machines, then almost overnight this hangover nonsense appeared
Davie_GLA said:
The thought of a hangover is a nightmare. I remember them fondly.
I was talking the other day to a mate where we were of the same opinion. One day we were just machines, then almost overnight this hangover nonsense appeared
This is what stops me too, I used to die for days and was absolutely miserable looking back. The strange thing is you don’t realise how much easier life is without it until you stop. I’m at 2 years ish now with one wobble last November. I was talking the other day to a mate where we were of the same opinion. One day we were just machines, then almost overnight this hangover nonsense appeared
It gets so much easier as time passes although I have developed a coffee habit recently..
Well done everyone.
I have recently given up drinking apart from Friday and Saturday nights.
Has anyone else had any success with doing it this way? I was overdoing it a bit and felt that the tail was starting to wag the dog. I have not found it all that hard to make it just weekends, not sure if this is common or unusual?
Has anyone else had any success with doing it this way? I was overdoing it a bit and felt that the tail was starting to wag the dog. I have not found it all that hard to make it just weekends, not sure if this is common or unusual?
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